1776 By David Mccullough Summary

“1776” is a story of war. This book chronicles the year 1776 and the different battles that took place during the year. Instead of exploring the political changes the year oversaw, Pulitzer Prize winner, David McCullough explores in a different perspective on the battles that occurred during the year. From battle strategies, to the lives of Major Generals, McCullough takes you through the story in a more realistic and factual perspective. “1776” offers an intimate look into the military aspects of the revolutionary war which creates a more lively and engaging literature. McCullough opens the book in London, where King George III appears on behalf of his people to announce war with the North American colonies. American patriots sought to overthrow

McCullough reassures us how important this year was for American history. He places his views through his extensive use of research, from battle plans, letters, journal entries, and more. But as important as the Declaration of Independence and political aspects may be, it does not fit in with McCullough’s purpose. His purpose concludes military aspects of 1776 in the war itself. McCullough’s solidifies his views when he said, “Such courage and high ideals were of little consequence, of course, the Declaration itself being no more than a declaration without military success against the most formidable force on earth” (145). This supports his view that the military actions of 1776 led to the turning point of the Revolutionary war, not the Political actions. McCullough successfully supports his argument with the binding of his extensive details and facts. McCullough makes sure that the reader knows how set backs were overcome with by the leadership of George Washington, determination of men, and good fortune. McCullough concludes by saying, "Especially for those who had been with Washington and who knew what a close call it was at the beginning — how often circumstance, storms, contrary winds, the oddities or strengths of individual character had made

By doing so he used an extremely immense variety of sources in order to make this book historically accurate, making for a more realistic story. This helps the reader better understand the material as well as making it a much more emotional and exciting book. I found this book to be very interesting and engaging book that accurately describes the battles throughout 1776. He successfully proved his argument of “1776“ being a turning point in the war, due to the way he chronologically developed this book and the way he demonstrates change in the Continental army and leadership of George Washington. One aspect of the book that I found better than most books is that he shows you a perspective of both sides. McCullough’s intent was not focused strictly on the Americans, as he also sets you in the lives of the British Generals. Another aspect I enjoyed is how he didn’t give George Washington the image of being perfect that we normally think of him as. He was very indecisive, and had to be talked away from his decisions several times. He lets us know the other side of Washington, yes, he’s a great war General but he is not a great tactician or strategist. I thought it was clever because everyone thinks of Washington as being a perfect figure but instead McCullough describes him in a more realistic